title: Partial maturation: an immune-evasion strategy of dengue virus?
abstract: Cleavage of the precursor membrane (prM) protein is required for the activation of flavivirus infectivity. However, many studies have shown that, for dengue virus in particular, prM cleavage and maturation is inefficient. Heterogeneity of wild-type dengue virus preparations with regard to the presence of uncleaved prM in the virion is mirrored in the substantial levels of prM-specific antibodies that are produced following dengue infection. What might be the evolutionary advantage for the virus to produce so many prM-containing particles? In this review we summarize the latest achievements of dengue research that contribute to a better understanding of the role of prM-containing virions in the pathogenesis of dengue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Izabela A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Rodenhuis-Zybert
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilschut
authors.forename: Jolanda M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins